Safety issue description

The eddy current inspection used on VH-TZJ, and other M18 aircraft, had not been approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority as an alternate means of compliance to airworthiness directive AD/PZL/5. This exposed those aircraft to an inspection method that was potentially ineffective at detecting cracks in the wing attachment fittings.

Proactive Action

Action organisation:

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Action number:

AO-2013-187-NSA-050

Date:

15 February 2016

Action status:

Closed

On 15 November 2013, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued an amendment to airworthiness directive AD/PZL/5, revoking the approval for the eddy current procedure to be used for M18 wing joint inspections. It also added a 100‑hourly visual inspection, and additional wing-off inspections in M18 aircraft every 2,500 hours. CASA also issued a direction to all registered operators of M18 aircraft in Australia that the aircraft could be flown after compliance with the amended AD.